Ancillary aids in the treatment of facial paralysis.
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Mastication is a complex process that involves activities of the facial muscles, the elevator and suprahyoidal muscles, and the tongue. These activities result in patterns of rhythmic mandibular movements, food manipulation, and the crushing of food between the teeth. Saliva facilitates mastication by moistening food particles, making a bolus, and assisting swallowing, whereas food consistency modifies masticatory forces, the mandibular jaw movements, the duration of the mastication cycle, and the number of cycles preceding the first swallow. Jaw elevator EMG activity research shows a clear relation between muscular activity and food properties. The teeth, masticatory muscles, and temporomandibular joints are also important because together they form the mechanism by which the food particles are fragmented. Hard and dry foods require more chewing cycles and a longer time in the mouth until swallowing for sufficient breakdown to take place and for enough saliva to be added to form a coherent bolus safe enough for swallowing. Product characteristics, the amount of saliva, dentition, and bite force affect the chewing performance. This study presents an update and synopsis of the effects of saliva, food, dentition, muscle force, and temporomandibular disorders on the masticatory process.
Spontaneous facial movements are disturbing to those who have them, yet some such movements are benign and cause no more than cosmetic embarrassment. Other abnormal facial movements, however, are more serious and can be associated with neurologic disorders such as multiple sclerosis, brainstem tumor, peripheral neuropathy, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Occasionally, an abnormal movement of the face is the first sign of such an underlying disorder. Accurate differential diagnosis of these perplexing movement disorders is imperative in determining prognosis.
PURPOSE: To assess the effect and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) at reducing and maintaining eyelid synkinesia in aberrant facial nerve regeneration, while concurrently observing for the presence of side effects to differing treatment doses. METHODS: A prospective interventional study of five patients with eyelid synkinesia resulting from aberrant regeneration of the facial nerve. Patients were treated with injections of either 120, 80 or 40 units of BTX-A (Dysport) into the orbicularis oculi. Objective and subjective reduction in synkinesia, maintenance of response and presence of side effects were recorded. RESULTS: All five patients had improvement of the synkinesia with BTX-A treatment. Lower doses were found to be as effective as higher doses. Mean duration of abolished synkinesia was three months. Two patients developed a ptosis which resolved spontaneously. None of the patients treated with the lowest dose of 40 units developed a ptosis. CONCLUSION: Low-dose BTX-A has a lower incidence of ptosis and is effective in the treatment of aberrant facial nerve regeneration.
The authors report a family with familial Bell's palsy affecting seven individuals, six of whom are females. This is a distinct subtype of Bell's palsy with a predilection for juvenile females, previously reported only very rarely. In conjunction with a review of the literature, this case suggests that this phenotype carries with it a greater risk of serious complications affecting the eyelids and lacrimal gland. These carry significant functional and cosmetic implications owing to aberrant regeneration of the seventh, sixth and possibly third cranial nerves, chronicity and relapses. Clinical features include synkinesis of the eyelids with the orbicularis oris causing synkinetic ptosis, recurrent paralytic ectropion, paralysis of facial muscles of expression with dry eye, hyperlacrimation (crocodile tears), and transient strabismus. Clinically, the decision to offer surgery in place of conservative treatment should consider the natural history of chronicity and relapses often seen with this subtype of familial Bell's palsy. Botulinum toxin injections are especially versatile in managing the complications associated with this phenotype.
Over the past 30 years human magnesium (Mg) deficiency has become an accepted fact in most medical circles. Our index patient had striking neurological manifestations including generalized tremulousness, grimaces and fibrillary twitches of facial muscles, athetoid and choreiform movements of upper extremities, dysphagia, inability to speak, repeated convulsions, and confusion. She had received glucose in water and saline intravenously for several months. A patient with chronic alcoholism was noted to have almost identical symptoms and signs as the index patient. He also responded dramatically to MgSO4 injections. This resulted in a series of studies on patients with chronic alcoholism. The evidence of Mg deficiency in alcoholism includes the following: significant hypomagnesemia, strongly positive Mg balance during recovery, significant decrease in muscle Mg, a deficit of total exchangeable 28Mg quantitatively similar to deficit by balance studies, often a dramatic response of symptoms to therapy with Mg, and diuresis of Mg produced by ingestion of alcohol. Lipolysis with high levels of long-chain free fatty acids (FFA) occurs in withdrawal of alcohol in chronic alcoholism, withdrawal of certain addictive drugs, after trauma, surgery, administration of adrenergic compounds or theophylline, exposure to cold, and an adverse environment as in grass staggers. Concentrations of Mg fall when FFA increase in all of the above circumstances. This phenomenon has wide implications in health and disease. Better awareness of Mg deficiency in a wide variety of clinical conditions will result in life-saving treatment and less morbidity of other patients.
Rats move their whiskers actively during tactile exploration of their environment. The whiskers emanate from densely innervated whisker follicles that are moved individually by intrinsic facial muscles and as a group by extrinsic muscles. Several descriptions of whisker movements in normal adult rats during unrestrained exploration indicate that rats move their whiskers in the 6-9 Hz range when exploring a new environment. The rate can be elevated to nearly 20 Hz for brief episodes just prior to making a behavioural decision. The present studies were undertaken to compare whisker dynamics in head-restrained and freely moving rats with symmetrical or asymmetrical numbers of whiskers on the two sides of their face and to provide a description of differences in whisker use in exploring rats after trimming all but two whiskers on one side of the face, a condition that has been shown to induce robust cortical plasticity. Head-fixed rats were trained to protract their whiskers against a contact detector with sufficient force to trigger a chocolate milk reward. Whisker movements were analyzed, and the results from head-fixed animals were compared with free-running animals using trials taken during their initial exploration of novel objects that blocked the rat's progress down an elevated runway. The results show that symmetrical whisker movements are modulated both by the nature of the task and the number of whiskers available for exploration. Rats can change their whisker movements when the sensitivity (threshold) of a contact detector is raised or lowered, or when the nature of the task requires bilateral input from the whiskers. We show that trimming some, but not all whiskers on one side of the face modifies the synchrony of whisker movement compared to untrimmed or symmetrically trimmed whiskers.
BACKGROUND: Facial lines resulting from hyperactivity can be misleading manifestations of negative emotions, fatigue and stress. They may also contribute to a perception of facial aging. A well established treatment is botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A). Recently, botulinum toxin type B (BTX-B) has become available for the treatment of cervical dystonia. There has been little comparison on the efficacy of the two different types of botulinum toxins, nor is there information on appropriate dosing of BTX-B for facial muscles. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this pilot study was to observe the effects of BTX-B in comparison to BTX-A, on patients with brow furrows assessing initial efficacy and duration of effect. METHODS: Patients were injected with BTX-B in two different dose conversions against BTX-A to the corrugator-procerus complex. Some patients received a conversion of 50 units of BTX-B (total of 1000 units) to one unit of BTX-A while others received a conversion of 100 units of BTX-B (total of 2000 units) to one unit of BTX-A. The patients treated with BTX-A received a total of 20 units. These patients were clinically assessed prior to treatment and 3 days, 1 week, 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: Both types of botulinum toxin were effective at improving glabellar frown lines. The onset of actions occurred slightly sooner (2-3 days) with BTX-B than with BTX-A (3-7 days). Duration of effect with BTX-A was at least 16 weeks. With 1000 units of BTX-B, dose duration was 6-8 weeks and with 2000 units of BTX-B, duration was 10-12 weeks. SUMMARY: Both types of botulinum toxin are effective at correcting deep glabellar furrows. At least with the doses used, BTX-B has a quicker onset of action and BTX-A has longer benefit for glabellar wrinkles. These data strongly suggest that further dose ranging studies of BTX-B are necessary and indicated in controlled double blind studies in a larger patient population.
BACKGROUND: The spectral entropy of the electroencephalogram has been proposed to monitor the depth of anaesthesia. State Entropy (SE) reflects the level of hypnosis. Response Entropy (RE), computed from electroencephalogram and facial muscle activity, reflects the response to nociceptive stimulation. We evaluated the effect of rocuronium on Bispectral Index (BIS) and entropy responses to laryngoscopy. METHODS: A total of 25 patients were anaesthetized with propofol using a target-controlled infusion. At steady state, they randomly received 0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium (R) or saline (S). After 3 min, a 20 s laryngoscopy was applied. BIS, RE and SE were recorded continuously and averaged over 1 min during baseline, at steady state, 2 min after R or S administration (R/S+2) and 0, 1, 2 and 3 min after laryngoscopy (L0, L1, L2, L3). RESULTS: At R/S+2, the RE-SE gradient was higher in Group S than in Group R. Laryngoscopy provoked an increase in BIS, RE and SE. Comparing R/S+2 and L0 values in Groups R and S, BIS increased from 43 (6) to 49 (8) and 42 (9) to 51 (15), SE increased from 43 (7) to 50 (8) and 41 (10) to 55 (12), and RE increased from 46 (8) to 54 (9) and 47 (12) to 66 (15), respectively. BIS and SE did not differ between groups. At L0, RE and RE-SE were higher in Group S [66 (15) and 11 (4), respectively] than in Group R [54 (9) and 4 (2), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: Rocuronium alters the RE-SE gradient and the RE and RE-SE responses to laryngoscopy. Muscle relaxation may confound interpretation of entropy monitoring.
Twenty index patients with hereditary essential tremor and their kindreds were studied to define the phenotype of this condition. Ninety-three first degree and 38 more distant relatives were examined; 53 definite and 18 possible secondary cases were identified. The age of tremor onset was bimodally distributed with a median at approximately 15 years. Segregation analysis indicated autosomal dominant inheritance and penetrance was virtually complete by the age of 65 years. There were no examples of the disease skipping a generation. Men and women were affected in equal proportions. About 50% of cases were alcohol responsive. In the majority of families alcohol responsiveness was either consistently present or did not occur, but in 20% of kindreds definite heterogeneity of responsiveness was encountered within each family. The typical phenotype was a mild symmetrical postural tremor of the upper limbs. Tremor of the legs, head, facial muscles, voice, jaw and tongue occurred but never in isolation and rest, task specific (e.g. primary writing tremor) and primary orthostatic tremors were not found. Head tremor was invariably mild and 75% was of a 'no-no' type. Dystonia (e.g. torticollis and writer's cramp) were not encountered, a finding which strongly suggests that many previous studies of 'essential tremor' were contaminated by cases of idiopathic or hereditary torsion dystonia. No association with Parkinson's disease was found but classical migraine occurred in approximately 26% of cases and co-segregated with tremor. The severity of arm tremor (assessed using a clinical rating scale and by scoring tremor in Archimedes spirals) and disability increased with advancing age and increasing tremor duration, but there was no correlation between age at tremor onset and either tremor severity or disability. Men and women were affected with equal severity. The sex of the affected parent had no influence on the severity of tremor or the degree of disability experienced by an affected child. Disability commenced in the second decade and progressively increased. All the index patients and 59% of the definite secondary cases had tremor induced disabilities. Eighty-five percent of index patients and 38% of secondary cases also reported some degree of social handicap. Twenty-five percent of index patients and 12% of secondary cases had been compelled to change jobs or retire. Biological fitness was normal.
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Recent epidemiological reports suggest an increased frequency of invasive streptococcal infections linked to the appearance of a dominant group A Streptococcus serotype. Necrotizing streptococcal infections involving the skin and soft tissues of the face are uncommon. This case demonstrates the aggressive and invasive nature of these infections. The patient presented with symptoms of angioedema and was treated with corticosteroids. Her condition worsened and plastic surgery was consulted. There was extensive necrosis of the periorbital and forehead soft tissue, requiring extensive debridement to control the invasive process. Multiple reconstructive procedures were performed to close the defects and to preserve function of the facial muscles and eyelids. The literature indicates less than 50 reported cases of necrotizing streptococcal infections limited to the periorbita. This case reflects the importance of rapid diagnosis, and emphasizes the need for prompt and appropriate surgical treatment.
Dysphagia, or disordered swallowing, can be demonstrated at any time over the course of many myopathies. Ability to swallow may be impaired because of weakness, inflammation, or dysfunction of the oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and esophageal musculature. Dysphagia may occur during the progression of disease regardless of whether the patient is properly treated. The presentation of signs of dysphagia can vary among patients because of differing patterns of weakness or incoordination of the facial muscles, lips, tongue, palate, pharyngeal constrictors, or smooth and striated muscles of the esophagus. Although the literature has focused on problems in the esophagus, scant attention has been paid to the oropharynx, which is often equally affected. Studies suggest that surgical myotomy and botulinum toxin injection may provide benefits for some patients with esophageal dysfunction. Although the condition is pervasive, there is little information on the incidence of dysphagia in muscular disorders. Because a major complication of dysphagia is aspiration, any sign of swallowing impairment demands medical attention and treatment.
Twelve patients with clinical indications of intracranial neurovascular compression (6, hemifacial spasm; 4, trigeminal neuralgia; 2, vertigo and tinnitus) were studied by MRI. Axial 1 mm thick slices were obtained in a 1.5 T unit using a three-dimensional (3D) fast low angle shot data set of 32 contiguous slices. The data were post-processed with multiplanar reconstruction algorithms to obtain oblique sagittal (along the long axis of a nerve) images or coronal images with a slice thickness of 0.8 mm. The MR angiographic images were also obtained from the same 3D data set with maximum intensity projection algorithms. The MR studies showed that 9 of 12 patients had neurovascular compression caused by one or two arteries. These findings were verified at surgery. In two of the remaining three patients, MRI failed to delineate the affected nerves compressed by a vein in one, and a previously applied prosthesis in the other. In the last patient no neurovascular compression was found by MRI or at surgery.
A shift from subjective scales to objective measures of facial paralysis requires physical models against which to validate and calibrate the new objective techniques. The purpose of this report was to demonstrate such a model and to test the capacity of an objective computer system to accurately measure physical change. The physical model consisted of an advancing edge of a spreading gelatin film. The model was measured in submillimeter increments. Concurrent measurements were made using the computed system. Ten trials were conducted. The objective system proved to be exquisitely sensitive (0.03 mm) and highly correlated with the physical criterion model (Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient [r]=0.9849). Sensitive and calibrated objective methods of analysis of facial motion are crucial to the design of clinical trials, clinical studies of nerve regeneration, and comparisons of reanimation techniques.
INTRODUCTION: After total laryngectomy the absence of a nasal airflow results in a decrease in olfaction and perception of flavors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Odor perception was assessed in 63 laryngectomized patients with two different olfactory tests. The methods used by patients to smell were observed during olfactory testing. Patients' judgment about their olfaction and gustation was assessed by means of a structured questionnaire, semistructured interview, and self-rating. RESULTS: Based on the results of the olfactory tests, patients were categorized as "smellers" and "nonsmellers." Approximately one third of the patients were able to smell the odorous substances used in the olfactory tests. The smellers more often used a variety of methods to smell than the nonsmellers (P < .002); in most patients the method consisted of active use of facial muscles. Patients appeared well able to judge their own odor perception. Compared with the smellers, the nonsmellers judged their odor perception as worse (P < .003) and reported a more severe decrease in gustation after the operation (P < .033). The results of this study in laryngectomized patients confirm the interrelation between olfaction and gustation: the nonsmellers reported a poorer gustation and a more severe decrease in gustation and appetite than both the smellers and a reference group of elderly persons (P < .05). Patients who reported a deterioration of olfaction and gustation tended to experience negative consequences such as the inability to smell smoke, leaking gas, or agreeable odors. CONCLUSION: Olfaction and odor-related flavor sensation are seriously deteriorated after total laryngectomy.
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